Occupational Exposure to Pesticides, Personal Protection, and Willingness to Reduce Chemical Sprayings Among Iranian Greenhouse Farmers.

Abstract

Objectives: The level of greenhouse farmers' personal protection in pesticide use and the possibility of environmental protection through farmers' willingness to reduce chemical sprayings were assessed in Khuzestan Province, Iran.

Methods: A survey of 80 active greenhouse vegetable growers was carried out in 2021 with face-to-face interviews. Willingness to reduce chemical sprayings was examined with the theory of planned behavior (TPB) model.

Results: Several intoxication symptoms were reported, with the most common symptom of pesticide intoxication being dizziness. Farmers showed unsafe or rather unsafe use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during pesticide handling. The maximum use of PPE pertained to the use of mask, spray clothing, and long-sleeved shirts. On a scale from 1 (= totally disagree) to 5 (= totally agree), the respondents showed negative attitudes towards reducing chemical sprayings (mean = 2.30), rather low levels of subjective norms (mean = 2.67), and rather low levels of perceived behavioral control over reduction of chemical sprayings (mean = 2.76). The TPB variables accounted for 73% of the variance in farmers' behavioral intention. Overall, farmers' behavioral intention to reduce chemical sprayings was almost neutral.

Conclusion: Increasing knowledge of the adverse effects of pesticides on health is necessary to promote safety behavior of farmers in the greenhouse.